Thread cutting device



June 7, 1932. T. M. LILLEBERG 1,862,225

THREAD CUTTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1930 J52 'Z 67Z for: File??? 077/11. Z 12 lebe y,

Patented June 7, 1932 I UNITED. STATES PATENT TIDEMAN M. LILLEBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE NYE TOOL & MACHINE WORKS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS THREAD CUTTING DEVICE Application filed January 11, 1930. Serial No. 420,192.

My invention relates to thread-cutting devices of the type in which the thread-cutting elements are carried by a head having a portion forming a journal support for an operating member, such as a lever provided with a ratchet cooperating with ratchet teeth on the head; and particularly to a device of the character stated, the thread-cutting element of which is in the form of a die-block containing an opening therethrough.

One of my objects is to provide a device of the character stated whereby it may be used not only for threading a rod or pipe inserted into the device from one end, as for eX- ample, in the case of the bench-threading of pipes; but may also be used for threading an element, such as a pipe projecting outwardly from a surrounding structure as for example from a wall or ceiling and which, because of the slight extent of projection thereof cannot be threaded by positioning it in the abovereferred-to end of the device but requires its positioning in the opposite end of the device.

Another object is to provide in a device having the capabilities just referred to, for

the proper guiding of the device relative to such projecting pipe or rod to ensure the forming of the threads in the proper position on the pipe or rod; and other objects, as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a thread-cutting device constructed in accordan ce with my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, the section being taken at the line 2 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 3 is a section taken at the line 33 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, this view showing the device in condition for threading an object introduced into one end of the device.

Figure is a sectional view of a wall, or

ceiling, showing a pipe projecting therebeyond and to be threaded, together with my improved threading device and guiding means therefor, the device being shown in section, as in Fig. 3, and in position on the projecting end of the pipe or rod for cutting the thread thereon; and

Figure 5, a view like Fig. 4, showing a modification of the guiding means of Fig. 1.

Referring to the particular construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the device comprises a head represented at 5 one end thereof being of reduced diameter as shown at 6 and at which portion it is provided peripherally with ratchet teeth 7 the portion 6 forming a 0 journal support for an operating member 8 shown as comprising a bar 9 connected with, and extending outwardly from, a body member 10 containing an aperture 11 there through at which it surrounds the journalling portion 6 of the head 5, the member 10 being provided with a ratchet 12 provided with a tooth 13 at which it engages the teeth 7 on the head 5, this ratchet, which is spring pressed toward the teeth 7 by a coil spring 14. having a stem 15 projecting into a position in which it is accessible for retracting the ratchet 12 when desired, which feature is in accordance with common practice.

The cutting element of the device is in the form of a round die-block 16 containing an opening 17 therethrough into which the thread-cutting portions 18 of the die-block extend in accordance with common practice, the die-block 16 being chamfered at its opposo site ends as represented at 19 and 20 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The die-block 16 is positioned against the outer face of the larger end 21 of the head 5 and is held in place thereon by a ring 22 8b internally threaded at one end, as represented at 23 at which it screws upon the external. threads 24: provided about the periphery of the portion 21 of the head 5, the opposite end of the ring 22 being internally chamfered as represented at 25 at approximately the same angle as the chamfered surfaces 19 and 20 of the die-block 16.

The head 5 contains an opening 26 extending entirely therethrough coincident with the longitudinal axis of this head. this opening being of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the space bounded by the teeth of the cutting portions 18 of the die-block, the opening 17 in the die-block when the latter is secured in place against the head 5, extending in alinement with the opening 26. In the arrangement shown the die-block 16 is adapted to be positioned at either of its end faces against the outer end of the portion 21 of the head 5, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively. When positioned as shown in Fig. 3 it conditions the thread-cutting de vice for the cutting of a thread on a rod or pipe, such as that represented at 27 and insorted into the device from the end thereof remote from the die-block 16 as for example in the bench-threading of the pipes, it being understood that the device is intermittently rotated in a direction to form the thread on the object 27, by oscillating the operating member 8. When the die-block 16 is positioned as shown in Fig. 4 it adapts the device to cut a thread on an object projecting a short distance only from a surrounding structure as for example a room-ceiling represented at 28 and from which a pipe represented at 29 and to be threaded, projects, the cutting of the thread on the pipe 29 being effected by oscillating the actuating member 8.

Inasmuch as the pipe 29, in Fig. l, does not extend through the opening in the head 5 as it does in Fig. 3, it is desirable that means be provided for guiding the thread-cutting de- Vice onto the pipe to ensure the cutting of the thread in the proper position on the pipe. The means shown for this purpose comprise a plug 30 positioned in the opening 26 and held therein preferably by a pin 31 extend.- ing through openings 32 in the head 5 and an opening 33 in the plug 30, the outer end of this plug being of reduced diameter as represented at 34 and projecting through, and outwardly beyond. the opening 17 in the dieblock 16. The reduced end portion 34 of the plug, upon applying the device to the pipe 29 for threading the latter, extends slidingly into the outer end of this pipe which it should fit sufiiciently snugly to guide the threadcutting device along the pipe 29 in concentric relation to the axis of the pipe 29, the plug forming a journal support for the thread ing device.

The chamfered surface of the clampingring 22 cooperates with the one of the chamfered portions 19 and 20 of the dieblock 16 which happen to be outermost, depending on the die-block being positioned as shown in Fig. 3 or positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and in either case the screwing of the ring 22 to place on the head 5 causes a wedging action to be exerted against the die-block 16 for centering the die-block relative to the head 5 and clamping it against the outer face of the latter.

The die-block 16 is preferably interlocked, in either of its two positions, with the head 5, to keep the block 16 from rotating, the means shown for this purpose comprising a pair of diametrically opposed dowels 35 which project outwardly beyond the outer face of the portion 21 of the head and into sockets in the die-block 16. The die-block 16 is provided with two sets of the die sockets represented at 36 and 87 extending inwardly from its opposite faces. In the position of the die-block as shown in Fig. 3 the dowels 35 extend into the sockets 37 whereas in the position of the die-block as shown in Fig. 4 these dowels extend into the socket 37.

t will be understood from the foregoing that I have thus provided a thread-cutting device, more especially of the ratchet-operated type, which ma y be used for the threading of the pipes which extend into either end of the thread-cutting device and by use of the same die-block.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the threading device as equipped with another form of means for guiding the device onto the pipe 29. In this construction the guide means are in the form of a member 38 adapted to be clamped between the die block 17 andthe ring 22 and presenting a tubular portion 39 adapted in the applying of the threading device to the protruding end of the pipe 29 to slip over the pipe 29 which latter thereby forms a journal support for the threading device. The member 38 is preferably of general cup form as shown presenting the inclined annular tip portion 40 at which the member is clamped between the die block 17 and the ring 22.

While I have illustrated and described certain particular constructions embodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the invention embodied in other forms of constructions without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I'Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, a die-block positioned on said member, means holding said die-block in place, and a guide member having a portion clamped between said die block and said means and adapted for journal support on a pipe to be threaded.

2. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, a die-block positioned on said member, means holding saio die-block in place, and a guide member in the form of a tube having a flanged, enlarged inner end at which said guide member is clamped between said die block and said means and adapted at its outer end for journal support on a pipe.

3. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, thread-cutting means adapted to be applied to said member in either of two positions one in which one of the faces of said means is outermost and the other a reversed position in which its other face is outermost for cutting a thread on an object introduced into the device from either of the opposite sides of the device, means engaging said member for holding said first-named means on said member in either of said positions of said first-named means, and a guide member for the object to be threaded separate from said second-named means and extending beyond the side of said second-named means opposite that at which said member extends and adapted for journal support on said object.

4. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, thread-cutting means adapted to be applied to said member in either of two positions one in which one of the faces of said means is outermost and the other a reversed position in which its other face is outermost for cutting a thread on an object introduced into the device from either of the opposite sides of the device, means for holding said first-named means on said member in either of said positions of said first-named means, said member containing a guide opening to one side of said first-named means to receive an object to be threaded, and a guide member separate from said second-named means for an object to be threaded extending beyond the opposite side of said first-named means.

5. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, thread-cutting means adapted to be applied to said member in either of two positions one in which one of the faces of said means is outermost and the other a reversed position in which its other face is outermost for cutting a thread on an object introduced into the device from either of the opposite sides of the device, means for holding said first-named means on said member in either of said positions of said first-named means, said member containing a guide opening to one side of said firstnamed means to receive an object to be threaded, and a removable and replaceable guide member separate from said secondnamed means for an object to be threaded extending beyond the opposite side of said first-named means.

6. In a thread-cutting device, the combination of an apertured member, thread-cutting means adapted to be applied to said member in either of two positions one in which one of the faces of said means is outermost and the other a reversed position in which its other face is outermost for cutting a thread on an object introduced into the device from either of the opposite sides of the device, means for holding said first-named means on said member in either of said positions of said first-named means, said member containing a guide opening to one side of said first-named means to receive an object to be threaded, and a guide member separate from said second-named means for an object to be threaded removably extending into said second-named means and beyond the opposite side of the latter.

TIDEMAN M. LILLEBERG. 

